The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in KwaZulu-Natal says its working with the families of the victims of the temple collapse in Verulam to ensure that they receive the necessary support.
Recovery operations for the fifth body that is trapped underneath the rubble resumed on Sunday morning as it was called off on Saturday afternoon due to heavy rainfall. Rescuers have recovered the bodies of four people who died when the four-storey collapsed on Friday. The cause of the collapse remains unknown.
WATCH | Thulasizwe Buthelezi, KZN MEC for COGTA, gives updates on the Verulam temple collapse, saying the focus by the various units involved is on rescuing those who can still be saved. pic.twitter.com/gIAtI4jheF
— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 13, 2025
COGTA KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila says they have teams on the ground working around the clock.
“We’ve got brave men and women who are working around the clock to ensure that we rescue or recover those that we can. And we are working together with the affected families, ensuring that we provide them with the necessary support that they need. It could be counselling, it could be of any support to them at this difficult time. So, various state agencies are also busy with that in terms of providing the support to these families.”
[LISTEN] Recovery operation for fifth body trapped at Verulam temple collapse site resumes
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— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) December 14, 2025
VIDEO | Environment Council probes deadly temple collapse:
